Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers said his thumb injury won’t be healed until after the bye week, and he isn’t willing to use the injury as an excuse for poor performance.
Rodgers, who initially injured his thumb in London against the New York Giants on Oct. 6, missed a few throws during the Packers’ 27-17 loss to the Tennessee Titans last Thursday night.
“My thumb is what it is. It’s been an issue since the Giants, but it’s not an issue that I’m going to rely on for an excuse or need,” Rodgers told “The Pat McAfee Show” on Thursday.
Rodgers didn’t specifically say he has a broken thumb but he did say he’s played with broken fingers in the past.
The injury isn’t healing due to in-game stresses including hits and playing under center.
In terms of accuracy, Rodgers said he “put every ball” where he wanted it during a sublime quarterbacking performance against the Dallas Cowboys, providing proof that the injury doesn’t have to be a roadblock to playing up to his standards.
A few big misses in the fourth quarter against the Titans – and another loss dropping the Packers to 4-7 – brought the thumb back into the spotlight.
“I missed two throws I probably hit 99/100 and people wonder what’s going on,” Rodgers said. “Nothing’s changed week to week.”
Rodgers’ adjusted completion percentage (not counting drops and throwaways) against the Cowboys was 84.2 but dropped to 67.6 against the Titans, per PFF.
The Packers go on the road to play the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday night. Rodgers’ thumb is getting extra rest this week after playing the Thursday night game last week.
Here’s the segment from “The Pat McAfee Show” on Tuesday:
Has your thumb been a problem at all?
"My thumb is what it is but I'm not gonna rely on it as an excuse" ~@AaronRodgers12 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/xc8w8RNFAd
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) November 22, 2022
